Identifier | Created | Classification | Origin |
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06YEREVAN1300 | 2006-09-18 12:15:00 | UNCLASSIFIED | Embassy Yerevan |
VZCZCXRO5981 RR RUEHDBU RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHYE #1300/01 2611215 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 181215Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3954 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE |
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 06 YEREVAN 001300 |
1. Per reftel request, Embassy Yerevan presents its comprehensive review of usaid internet freedom programs in Armenia: -------------------------- Economic Growth Programs -------------------------- A. Project Name: Competitive Armenia Private Sector (CAPS) Program Recipient: IT companies, IT Council, IT associations, and educational institutions in Armenia Project Description: The goal of the Competitive Armenian Private Sector (CAPS) Program is to promote competitive growth and increase the competitiveness of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs), thus increasing employment. The program will implement several components directed towards helping business to achieve their growth objectives. To date two clusters - Information Technologies and Tourism have been selected and approved by USAID to be the focus of the project. IT Component: For the last two years the major activities targeted at increased competitiveness of IT industry included (i) development of IT strategy; (ii) development of IT marketing plan; (iii) IT workforce assessment and development; and (iv) capacity building for industry representatives. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $500,000 (IT portion: $250,000) FY 06 Funding: U.S. $2,500,000 (IT portion: $1,250,000) B. Project Name: Commercial Law and Economic Regulation Project (CLERP) Recipient: Public Sector Regulatory Commission of Armenia Project Description: The overall purpose of CLERP is to facilitate reform of Armenia's commercial legal, regulatory, and administrative entities to remove or reduce barriers to private sector development, attract FDI, and integrate Armenia into the global trading system. CLERP provides technical assistance, training and some commodities to selected counterparts. The activity consists of three components and two sub-components: 1) Commercial Law; 2) WTO Compliance and Post-Accession Support; and 3) Developing the Institutional Capacity of the State Commission for the Protection of Economic Competition and Public Services Regulatory Commission (PSRC), focused upon Telecommunications Regulation and Overall PSRC Capacity Development. IT Component: CLERP provided extensive assistance to the Ministry of Justice in coordination with PSRC to draft the Law Electronic Communication. Provided equipment, expanded public access through websites of PSRC and SCPAC, and provided staff training to project counterparts. The Project put in place a local area network (LAN) and PBX inside PSRC. In addition, the project provided support to the State Procurement Agency in e-procurement strategy, and assistance to PSRC in telecom regulatory reform. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $2,500,000 (IT portion: $130,000) FY 06 Funding: U.S. $2,500,000 (IT portion: $20,000) C. Project Name: Tax Improvement Project (TIP) Recipient: State Tax Service of Armenia Project Description: The Project seeks to bring about managerial and administrative reforms in the tax system while increasing tax revenue collection. IT Component: Provision of equipment and staff training FY 05 Funding: U.S. $0 FY 06 Funding: U.S. $3,800,000 (IT portion: $400,000) D. Project Name: Information and Communications Technology Support Recipient: State Committee for Real Property Cadastre of Armenia, three Armenian State University students, IT companies in Armenia Project Description: This activity includes three sub-activities - the University Consortium (UC) project, Centralized Real Property Database System for the State Committee of Real Property Cadastre, and Sourcio. IT Component: The UC project is an effort to organize three state universities to support and enhance the existing IT infrastructure and capacity in Armenia through preparation of graduate students who are more effective and responsive to current market conditions. The program's objective is to prepare students with a new Masters of Science in Information Systems (MSIS) degree, which combines the study of business and technology. Based upon New York University's (NYU) MSIS model, the program was approved by the Armenian government as a formal educational specialization in the summer of 2004. The first MSIS students were matriculated in September 2004 and completed the first program cycle with graduation in June 2006. The State Committee for Real Property Cadastre requested assistance from USAID/Armenia to implement an online system of real property registration and information provision. Creation of the Centralized Real Property Database System (CDS) lays the foundation for an online information system for SCRPC. This sub-activity was initiated in May 2004. The CDS will provide online access to those YEREVAN 00001300 002 OF 006 regional cadastre offices with direct communication lines and data transfer from the remaining regional cadastre offices. This system will set the stage for the next steps of implementation, will provide flexibility to add applications customized for different user groups' needs, and will ensure sustainability, scalability, and continuity of system implementation. The overall goal of Sourcio project is to become an internationally recognized IT consulting company providing a variety of services and products based on open source software. The company has set up its main objective to compete with international consulting companies for large and high-value projects. It is also the company's goal to increase the number of IT jobs in Armenia and to contribute to the development of the Armenian IT sector. Sourcio offers government agencies, NGOs, SMEs, and individuals products and services based on open source software and be focused on system integration, custom software development, IT consulting, and open source application hosting. Sourcio concentrates on offering complete horizontal and vertical solutions for the government and private companies. The solutions include, in addition to the software products or systems, also consulting, implementation, maintenance, training, as well as other relevant services. USAID Armenia provides $300,000 of funding to Sourcio. The following parties also contribute to establishment of this enterprise: Lycos Armenia and Enterprise Incubator Foundation (EIF), contributing each $500,000. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $2,400,000 (all can be attributed to IT) FY 06 Funding: U.S. $0 -------------------------- Energy and Water Programs -------------------------- E. Project Name: Armenia Water Metering and Billing Improvement Project (Urban Institute) Recipient: Armenian Water Supply and Sewerage Company Project Description: To strengthen the institutional and financial sustainability and operational efficiency of the Armenian Water Supply and Sewerage Company with the long-term objective of making water companies more efficient and financially self-sustainable. The Project focuses on supporting on-going water sector restructuring and enhancing management effectiveness; improving the ability of selected water sector entities to gather, analyze and use water flow and customer information to improve their efficiency; and promoting transparency in financial controls. IT Component: The implementer completed installation of accounting software and data libraries at four local branches and the Head Office of the Armenian Water Supply and Sewerage Company; provided training on new accounting system; procured and installed new computers. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $586,009 (IT portion: $15,000) FY 06 Funding: U.S. $0 F. Project Name: Institutional and Regulatory Strengthening of Water Management in Armenia (PA Consulting) Recipient: State Hygiene and Anti-Epidemic Inspectorate of Armenia, Environmental Impact Monitoring Center of Armenia, Water Resources Management Agency of Armenia, Republican Geological Fund of Armenia, Hydro Geological Monitoring Center of Armenia, State Environmental Inspectorate of Armenia, State Committee on Water Resources in Armenia, Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia, Basin Management Organization- in Akhuryan, Armenia, ArmStateHydromet of Armenia Project Description: To extend reforms and improve performance of water sector management and regulatory institutions. The Project focuses on strengthening the legislative and regulatory framework to ensure water resource protection, integrated basin management and sustainable commercial use of water resources. IT Component: The implementer designs and develops the State Water Cadastre Information System. This system addresses issues related to institutional cooperation and data exchange among seven Government of Armenia agencies with responsibilities in the key water management functions of water resources monitoring, water use permitting, and regulatory compliance. The implementer also procured computer hardware and conducted trainings in computer basics and GPS use. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $0 FY 06 Funding: U.S. $2,550,000 (IT portion: $63,448) G. Project Name: Municipal Network for Energy Efficiency (MUNEE) (Alliance to Save Energy) Recipient: Municipalities and home-owner associations in Armenia Project Description: To develop a network of officials, who will work throughout Armenia to promote and raise energy efficiency awareness among municipalities, local NGOs, and energy service companies. IT Component: The implementer conducted BEEP training of municipalities and home-owner associations in use of computer-based program development and business planning software for energy YEREVAN 00001300 003 OF 006 efficiency project design. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $350,000 (IT portion: $7,000) FY 06 Funding: U.S. $0 H. Project Name: Program to Strengthen Reforms and Enhance Energy Security in Armenia (PA Consulting) Recipient: Settlement Center CJSC of Armenia Project Description: To improve performance of key institutions for sustainable energy management. The objectives are to improve transparency and commercial motivation in governance in order to reduce the opportunities for corruption and to improve the quality of service delivered to customers. The project also focuses on increased energy security through the improvement in the management and use of Armenia's scarce energy resources with greater efficiency and in an environmentally sustainable way. IT Component: The implementer upgraded existing equipment for Data Acquisition System at Settlement Center CJSC. It also procured HP ML570T03 US Tower Server S/N USE536N12N and HP L1740 Monitor S/N CNK5360PQH. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $0 FY 06 Funding: U.S. $1,047,685 (IT portion: $22,772) -------------------------- Democracy and Governance Programs -------------------------- I. Project Name: Armenia Legislative Strengthening Program (ALSP) Recipient: National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Project Description: This project provides technical assistance to the NA of Armenia in increasing transparency of and citizen participation in the legislative processes. It is addressing the following tasks: 1) facilitating and institutionalizing the involvement of Armenia's legislative community to advocate, lobby and advise the NA on policy and legislative issues; 2) improving the functioning of key committees and departments of the NA by having them work closer with the legislative community in jointly analyzing researching, commenting on and drafting legislation; 3) Improving the ability of select units and individuals within the NA to be more transparent, representative and responsive to citizen priorities, interests and concerns; and 4) developing the NA's ability to improve oversight of the executive branch through existing mechanisms, and to the extent possible, through assisting in the creation of new mechanisms via constitutional and legislative amendments. IT Components: NA's Citizen Letters Division used a new Public Inquiry Tracking System (PITS) that collects data on citizen appeals and tracking the history of how each inquiry is being addressed. The database was introduced to the Standing Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Youth Sports and Tourism Affairs on a pilot basis. The Project also assisted the NA to create and maintain a website, recognized as one of the best in Armenia. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $845,000 (IT portion: $150,000) FY 06 Funding: U.S. $479,000 (IT portion: $50,000) J. Project Name: Core Media Support Program Recipient: Private Media Outlets, Banks in Armenia Project Description: The goal of the program is to develop self-sustainable media outlets that utilize professional business practices, decrease dependence on political sponsorship and individual business interests, and provide news and information relevant to the public's interest. To achieve this IREX will offer loans to qualified media outlets and will provide training and technical assistance to develop the capacity of media outlets to qualify and repay loans. IREX provides training and TA to improve the professional quality of the media outlets' product and to consolidate the market through the formation and support of networks. IT Component: IREX has partnered with AGB Nielson to develop a television ratings system using peoplemeters and advance viewer analysis software. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $0 FY 06 Funding: U.S. $1,500,000 (IT portion: $78,000) K. Project Name: Armenia Local Government Program Recipient: Local municipalities of Vanadzor, Jermuk, Kapan, Sisian, Ijevan, Alaverdi, Sevan, Aparan, Artik, Abovian, Ararat, and Echmiadzin and other cities in Armenia. Project Description: Provide technical assistance in: a) policy reform and legislative initiatives affecting local government, b) increasing local government fiscal management, c) improving local government public services through performance management and customer service training and technical assistance, d) developing local government associations, and e) strengthening local governments, so that they are more effective, accountable and accessible to citizens. IT Component: An IT needs assessment was carried out for all program cities. Based on the assessment LGP3 is providing computers and other IT related equipment to municipalities. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $2,700,000 (IT portion: $135,000) FY 06 Funding: U.S. $0 YEREVAN 00001300 004 OF 006 L. Project Name: Rule of Law Development Program Recipient: Lawyers, judges, law students and the general population of Armenia. Project Description: Provide technical assistance and training to a) strengthen the lawyers' and judges' associations in Armenia, making them more responsive to their members; b) strengthen the ability of the Armenian bar and judiciary to act as an independent and impartial participant in and commentator on the legal reform process in Armenia; and c) educate future legal professionals through legal education reform. IT Component: Computers were provided to selected advocates. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $699,624 (IT portion: $43,000) FY 06 Funding: U.S. $1,963,000 M. Project Name: Youth and Community Involvement Program (YCAP) Recipient: Village communities in Armenia. Project Description: YCAP works with youth in village communities to form, activate and develop informal Youth Action Clubs (YACs) to increase the level and impact of civic activism among young men and women. Similarly, YCAP works with other partner communities to increase community awareness of and involvement in addressing public issues by supporting Community Advisory and Action Commissions (CAACs) formed by adult residents of villages. YCAP does not provide funds or grants to YACs and CAACs, but does support Action Centers (ACs) affiliated with the YACs and CAACs by providing a limited amount of equipment. YCAP is also supposed to support PTAs. IT Component: Computers and other IT equipment are included among the equipment that YCAP provides to Action Centers. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $1,000,000 (IT portion: $10,000) FY 06 Funding: U.S. $540,000 (IT portion: $20,000) N. Project Name: Access to Information for Community Involvement Recipient: Freedom of Information Center of Armenia (FOICA) Project Description: USAID supports the Center to organize trainings and talk-shows in the RA regions on how to use the RA law on "Freedom of information". The regional advocates of the center provide free legal consulting in all the regions of Armenia on the RA law on "Freedom of Information", as well as on the judicial defense of the right to be informed. IT Component: Assistance has been provided in e-government services. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $147,000 (IT portion: $11,000) FY 06 Funding: U.S. $0 O. Project Name: Armenia: Support to the 2005-2008 Local and National Elections. Recipient: Political Parties and Central Election Commission of Armenia. Project Description: Under this program, the International Foundation for Election Systems (IFES), the National Democratic Institute (NDI), and the International Republican Institute (IRI) provide technical assistance in developing national voter registry, election administration; voter education; strengthening political culture; political party building; women's involvement in the political process; and polling. IT Component: As part of IFES's assistance to improve the national voter registry, IFES will provide IT and other related equipment need to update and maintain the voter registry. FY05 Funding: U.S. $1,763,188 (IT portion: $100,000) FY06 Funding: U.S. $1,585,529 (IT portion: $100,000) -------------------------- Health Programs -------------------------- P. Project Name: Primary Healthcare Reform (PHCR) Project Recipient: Armenian Targeted Primary Healthcare Reform Facilities, Ministry of Health of Armenia, and State Health Agency of Armenia Project Description: PHCR focuses on reforming health care systems, policies, and procedures to extend primary healthcare (PHC) reforms nation-wide. It builds clinical skills in family medicine through continuous medical education for family doctors and nurses and seeks to improve overall quality of care in PHC. The Project works to increase equitable and efficient distribution of health resources through healthcare financing reform and by introducing an open enrollment process that allows patients to choose their provider. All of the Project's activities are supported by a Public Education component that will educate the public on major health reforms as well as improve health-seeking behavior through health promotion activities. IT Component: The Project will provide targeted health facilities with computers and printers for financial management and open enrollment functionality. Estimated number of computers is 390. The Project will provide corresponding training to health facility staff. PHCR will also provide a server to the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the State Health Agency (SHA) to support the Open Enrollment System. Each server will contain the Open Enrollment YEREVAN 00001300 005 OF 006 database. The NIH will utilize the data for collecting nation-wide statistics and will serve as the final clearer of data before the information is transferred to the SHA for payment to the facilities. PHCR is developing tailor-made software for the open enrollment system (building on the predecessor project, Armenia Social Transition Project (ASTP). Finally, the Project will create a Licensing Database for the Ministry of Health. The Project will develop or procure software (depending on the availability of off-the-shelf solutions), provide the server, and a minimal number of workstations for the system. This activity is just beginning the IT needs are currently being assessed. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $0 FY 06 Funding: U.S. $1,047,685 (IT portion $22,772) -------------------------- Cross-Cutting Programs -------------------------- Q. Project Name: Human and Institutional Capacity Development (HICD) Project Recipient: Armenian IT companies, IT associations, State Tax Service of Armenia, Public Services Regulatory Commission of Armenia, National Assembly of Armenia, Government Agencies of Armenia Project Description: The goal of HICD is to help the Partner organization improve its performance in critical areas leading to measurable results in achieving the organization's goals and objectives. IT Component: A number of capacity building programs were conducted to help to: -- Identify the role of IT in development strategy of Armenian companies; -- Identify innovative ICT solutions in different business areas -- To provide networking opportunities to exchange ideas and concerns on enabling environment for ICT development -- To improve strategic planning and management skills of IT sector business associations -- To promote the use of ICT-based products, networks, services and applications; -- To enhance partnerships among the Government, public and private sectors, regional and international institutions in developing Information Society. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $2,000,000 (IT portion: $67,000) FY 06 Funding: U.S. $2,000,000 (IT portion: $50,000) R. Project Name: Eurasia Foundation Grant Program Recipient: Armenian NGOs, local governments, other civil society representatives. Project Description: The purposes of the activity are to facilitate the development and growth of the private sector; promote good governance and strengthen civil society; enhance media and communications capacity; strengthen regional cooperation and promote social science research. IT Component: (i) Inter Municipal Networking & Cooperation Program -the grants focused on the creation of intercommunity networks in support of more effective use of community resources and development of inter-community partnership and collaboration; and (ii) Purchase of computers for grantee organizations. FY 05 Funding: U.S. $2,000,000 (IT portion: $120,000) FY 06 Funding: U.S. $2,400,000 (IT portion: $50,000) S. Project Name: Export Control and Related Border Security Recipient: Government of Armenia, Commission on Export Control Project Description: A web-page to advertise and enlighten potential exporters as to the regulations and procedures to control and license munitions, dual-use goods and other items regulated by the Armenian Export Control Law. IT Component: Armenian Government web page. FY 06 Funding: $5,000. -------------------------- Law Enforcement Programs -------------------------- T. Project Name: Regional Computer Network for Armenian Police Recipient: Police of the Republic of Armenia Project Description: Intranet interconnectivity of all police precincts in Armenia to access the central police databases. IT Component: Purchase of hardware (computers, printers, scanners, servers) and software, as well as provide training to police personnel. FY 05 funding: $453,000 FY 06 funding: $70,000 U. Project Name: Expansion of Border Management Information System Recipient: National Security Service, Government of Armenia Project Description: Intranet interconnectivity of all ports of entry in Armenia to access the Border Management Information System, YEREVAN 00001300 006 OF 006 a program for immigration control IT Component: Purchase of passport readers, hub to link all computers, switches, UPS, servers, etc., to enable ports of entry to access the immigration database. FY 05 funding: $52,994 FY 06 funding: $517,000 V. Project Name: Border Guard Training Center Recipient: National Security Service, Government of Armenia Project Description: Purchase of computer equipment and office furniture for the Border Guard Training Center in Yerevan. IT Component: Purchase of computers, printers, scanners, digital cameras, etc. to help train candidates of the National Security Service to Border Guard positions. FY 05 funding: $25,000 FY 06 funding: N/A W. Project Name: Training for Armenian Border Guards Recipient: National Security Service, Government of Armenia Project Description: English and computer training for Border Guard officers and candidates IT Component: Computer training FY 05: $99,593 FY 06: N/A X. Project Name: Training Program at Police Induction Center Recipient: Police of Republic of Armenia Project Description: Establishment of classrooms and curriculum development for new police candidates at the Police Induction Center. IT Component: Purchase of computer equipment and development of curriculum to provide computer training. FY 05: $145,200 FY 06: unknown at this time Y. Project Name: Vanodzor Customs House Renovation Recipient: State Customs Service, Government of Armenia Project Description: Creation and establishment of training facility, including a computer classroom, for the customs service. IT Component: Construction of computer classroom and purchase of computers, server, hub, switch, cabling, workstations, etc. to train customs officers. FY 05 funding: $49,850 FY 06 funding: N/A Z. Project Name: Renovation of the Forensics Laboratory of the National Bureau of Expertise Recipient: National Academy of Sciences, Government of Armenia Project Description: Renovation of the Forensics Laboratory, including internet access IT Component: Purchase of server and IT equipment to establish wireless Internet interconnetivity FY 05 funding: $12,000 (est.) FY 06 Funding: N/A GODFREY |